Casual, easy drinking French red wines: 14 September 2024
Are you looking to raise your glass to the wonderful world of French wines. A tapestry woven with a rich history, local tradition, terroir and a touch of joie de vivre. Whether you are just starting on your wine journey or a seasoned enthusiast, there is a France wine that awaits your palate & occasion. Here is a small selection of casual French wines aimed to bridge the gap between quality and affordability, perfect for sharing with friends, family & even the next-door neighbour.
Remember, French wines are not just about premium labels; they are about moments shared. So, whether you are gathered around the kitchen table, a rustic outdoor bbq table or on holiday in a caravan, the following wines will weave some enjoyable new memories.
(These casual French wines are available online & selected retailers, and most importantly are ready to sip, savour & share now).
Château Laussac 2019 - 4 Stars ★★★★
Grape Varietals: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc Blend
Growing Region: Saint Magne de Castillon, Bordeaux - France
*Producer / Distributor: GCF Group France
★ An affordable blended French red wine with 5 years age. On the nose you are greeted by mixed dark berries and a subtle dried herbs and spiced notes. The medium weight wine is showcasing a textural character in the mouth from natural chewy tannins. This wine is held in balance by a soft level of fruit acidity directing the wine with its relaxed summer berry flavours to a classic dry finish.
A very approachable & versatile food friendly style red wine, drinking this summer.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Ideal wine with everyday bbq’d meats, classic meat-lovers pizza, homemade kebabs, varied rich pasta dishes with a herb/wine-sauce, earthy vegetarian cuisine and aged hard cheeses.
• No Decanting needed & serve at 16°-18°C • 13.5% Alc. • Classic Dry Style • Cellar 9 - 12 months • *NZ$29.99
Château Tour de Perrigal 2021 - 4 Stars ★★★★
Grape Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot Blend
Growing Region: Right-Bank, Bordeaux - France
*Distributor: GCF Group France
★ In your glass you have a vibrant plum red colour. On the nose you have classic aromas of mint chocolate, plums, dried herbs and a hint of liquorice. The palate is medium weight and has good balanced fruit, tannins and fruit acidity giving this wine a good mouth feel, textural character and a lingering dry finish.
An ideal introduction to Bordeaux red wine blends.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Ideal wine with everyday bbq’d meats, classic range of pizza, aged prosciutto, mushroom pasta dishes with a herb sauce, earthy vegetarian cuisine and aged hard cheeses.
• Decant 20 minutes & serve at 16°-18°C • 13% Alc. • Classic Dry Style • Cellar 2 - 3 years • *NZ$24.99
Château Tour des Murasses 2020 - 4 Stars ★★★★
Grape Varietals: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot Blend
Growing Region: Right-Bank, Bordeaux - France
*Distributor: GCF Group France
★ In the glass you have a deep plum red colour. On the inviting nose you have mixed berry fruit aromas, along with dried herbs, cacao and a deft smoky note. The medium weight palate is engaging, with a good breadth and structure, plus a fine textural component. Showcasing those mixed berries and kept upbeat and dynamic from good fruit acidity giving the wine balance through to the classic dry finish.
A very approachable & versatile food friendly style red wine, drinking this summer.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Ideal wine with everyday bbq’d meats, a classic selection of pizza, quality hamburgers, lasagna or Bolognese, earthy vegetarian cuisine and aged hard cheeses.
• Decant 20-30 minutes & serve at 17°-18°C : 13% Alc. : Classic Dry Style : Cellar 9 - 12 months : *NZ$24.99
Château Gaillarteau 2021 - 4 Stars ★★★★
Grape Varietals: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc Blend
Growing Region: Right-Bank, Bordeaux - France
*Distributor: GCF Group France
★ In your glass you have a deep plum red colour. On the casual nose you have notes of red plums, mixed berries, dried herbs and a hint of tobacco. The light-to-medium weight palate elegantly reveals the above flavours, served with fine grained tannins, and good fruit acidity, resulting in a velvet smooth texture and a classic dry finish.
An approachable & versatile food friendly style red wine.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Ideal wine with everyday bbq’d meats, meat lover thin-based pizza's, hamburgers, pasta with meatballs, earthy vegetarian cuisine and aged hard cheeses with crusty bread.
• Decant 30 minutes & serve at 17°-18°C : 12.5% Alc. : Classic Dry Style : Cellar 2 - 3 years : *NZ$24.99
Château Pasquet 2020 - 4 Stars ★★★★
Grape Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Growing Region: Escoussans, Bordeaux - France
Producer: Michel & Jean-François Pernette - (GCF Group France)
★ In your glass you have a deep plum red colour. On the casual nose you have aromas of dark fruits, dried herbs and subtle notes of allspice. The medium weight palate has simple mild tannins and a finely textured nature. This wine is kept lifted and bright from the relaxed level of fruit acidity that leads you onto a classic dry finish.
A very approachable, casual food friendly red wine.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Ideal wine with everyday bbq’d meats, classic range of pizza, homemade hamburgers, kebabs, Taco-Tuesday, earthy vegetarian cuisine and varied hard cheeses.
• Decant 30 minutes & serve at 16°-18°C • 13% Alc. • Classic Dry Style • Cellar 1 - 2 years • *NZ$19.99
Château Belles Eaux 2021 - 4 Stars ★★★★
Grape Varietals: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre & Carignan
Growing Region: Languedoc - France
*Distributor: GCF Group France
★ In your glass you have a deep cherry plum red colour. On the inviting nose you have aromas of mixed dark berries, violets, subtle herbs, spice and note of tobacco. On the medium weighted palate, this wine has a luscious nature, and the wine celebrates those mixed berry fruits, supported by fine tannins and subtle acidity. The wine has an appealing personality and a lingering dry finish.
A very approachable, easy drinking style red wine.
Food Pairing Suggestions: Ideal wine with everyday bbq’d meats, classic range of thin-based pizza, varied fresh pasta dishes, tapas, earthy vegetarian cuisine and a mixed cheese-board with crusty bread - enjoy.
• No Decanting needed & serve at 16°-17°C • 15% Alc. • Classic Dry Style • Cellar 2 - 3 years • *NZ$24.99
*(Wine availability, vintages & promotional activity may vary between different retailers & online)